West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship

West Virginia residents graduating from an in-state high school with at least a 3.0 GPA and a 21 ACT composite (or SAT equivalent) who complete the required college-prep curriculum, file both the PROMISE application and the FAFSA by Mar 1, and enroll full-time at a West Virginia public or independent institution.

PROMISE is West Virginia's merit scholarship for resident high school graduates attending a public or independent two- or four-year institution in the state. The award is up to $5,500 per year applied to tuition and mandatory fees. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA and a minimum ACT composite of 21 (or the SAT equivalent), along with a completed college-prep curriculum. The 2027-28 application opens Oct 1, 2026 and closes Mar 1, 2027, and a completed 2027-28 FAFSA must also be on file by that same Mar 1 deadline - missing the FAFSA is the most common way otherwise-eligible students lose the award. Applications are filed through CFWV.com.

Renewal terms: Renewable for up to 8 semesters within 4 years of first receiving it, requiring 30 earned credit hours per year and a 2.75 cumulative GPA after the first year (3.0 thereafter).